Evergreen Outreach

By Charlene M. Jett
It took a while to get warmed up. But after we got started, our hearts were melting! Our leader on Monday was the Rev. Jim Fackler, and Donna Smith played sweet music to welcome all our friends. Pam Baker made the cookies we used for refreshments. Thanks very much.
We started by singing the  "Welcome" song, and we sang "Happy Birthday" to Ruth Ann Scott, Jessie Gordon, Louise Kruenegel, Margaret Penn, Victor Vandre and Lynette Wise.
The Rev. James Fackler told us several stories about Jesus.  He even admitted, right there in front of us all, that Jesus occasionally did get spanked. Remember the story about when he went missing, and it made his mom and dad NUTS trying to find him? All the while, he was in the temple and going about his father’s (God’s) work. Imagine this scene, when Jesus actually realized for the first time, that his parents didn’t know God’s mission for him until that moment. And his parents realized, for the first time, that he really was going to do God’s work. It was a serious and profound moment for the future of Jesus’ ministry.
Another story was about how leading a godly life is the best medicine on earth. With each of us being unique, it is only God that knows what we each need.    One of the most important rules is to honor our father and mother, so that it will be well with us on earth. This will help you live long and stay healthy, especially if we love each other. This can mean so many different things – from washing our hands and brushing our teeth, to being kind and loving.
We were entertained by LeAnn Bayles (originally from St Louis but now Vandalia, which she loves). She sang only three songs for us, but she was tremendously successful in how she went about it. She had a most beautiful angelic 3-year-old girl (Ayla) draped lovingly close to her, while she sang. I’ll never forget the sweet songs ("Serenaded By Angels," "My Redeemer Lives" (about God‘s instructions to the sun and moon) and "Thank You, For Giving to the Lord" (about life on the streets of gold). Now realize that the lovely songs were REALLY nice and uplifting, but the pirouetting 3-year-old with an orange ruffled skirt and turquoise T-shirt was a show stealer! Now get this, she had red/orange hair to boot! We shared a vision of pure innocence and joy, with Ayla occasionally trying to twirl and dance while her grandmother sang. Nowadays, we very seldom see an uninhibited child, just loving what they are doing! She was captivating, and we did not want it to end! I really hope she does well in bitty ballet. I will always remember her as “sandwich” – orange on top and bottom, and turquoise in the middle.
I hope the pinochle card players didn’t miss this most enjoyable scene, while Rosamund Hobler and Ruth Ann Scott defeated Shirley Locke and Mary Woolsey two games to one. Let’s remember to pray for Peggy Lippold, who is still in the hospital. See you all next week. God bless!